As crisis mounts, Europe's aid sought

SEOUL, South Korea — President Kim Dae Jung is asking for cooperation from Europe to help resolve the standoff over North Korea's nuclear ambitions, while China is rejecting a request from the United States to get more involved.

Kim said Tuesday he wants "continued cooperation" from the European Union. EU chief Javier Solana, in Seoul for talks, said the union can help facilitate U.S.-North Korean talks--but he said the two adversaries must negotiate directly.

Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Washington and Pyongyang must resolve the dispute on their own. China is a longtime ally of North Korea.

"Although it touches upon regional security and nuclear proliferation, the key to resolving this issue is the resumption of dialogue," Zhang said in Beijing.

Secretary of State Colin Powell has sought greater Chinese involvement because of the issues of regional security.